These guys from Street China and SKY were bringing some crazy energy the whole weekend, and made the experience a lot of fun for everybody. Great time hanging out with you guys. This is how we do it, rise together…
Check out these crazy dunks @ le Quai 54, featuring Justin ‘Jus Fly’ Darlington from Team Flight Brothers, Young Hollywood, and our very own John Helicopter Humphrey putting it down for Team Japan.
Rising Suns @ Quai 54 2011: Dunk Contest
Rising Suns member John Helicopter Humphrey made a last-minute entry into the dunk contest, saying he just wanted to try and bring home something for Japan— especially after our tough loss the day before. Greeted at center court by Kadour Ziani, this was also a historic reunion of ex-dunk rivals from the old And1 and Slam Nation days. Great to see them come together after all these years.
Helicopter had some classic throwdowns including a reverse/behind the backboard windmill…yeah he’s still got it! But the night belonged to Justin “Jus Fly” Darlington from Toronto, Canada. Above the rim? This guy is straight up flying over the rim. Even with the hand injury he got from an early round attempt, Darlington kept on going and eventually took home the trophy.
Really unforgettable performance from all the contestants. We’ll have some video highlights coming up soon. Stay tuned!
48 Hours B4Q54
With only two days to get our team ready, Coach Nakase got us right into the flow with a light shootaround and walkthrough at George Carpentier sports park the old home of Quai 54), followed by an all-you-can-eat carb session at a Chinese buffet in Port de Italie/Asian Town. Then right back to the court for a full practice and scrimmage the next morning.
The workouts allowed our guys to shake off that long flight and start to gel together as much as we could in such a limited time. We wrapped things up at the end with some words from the veteran leaders— talking about how we could attack.
BTW, we didn’t have the horse rematch with George Eddy this year. Unfortunately we showed up a little too late and just missed him. We’ll be looking forward to that chance next time, George!
John ‘Helicopter’ Humphrey
SG, 185cm
Originally a high school player from Virginia’s storied Oak Hill Academy, joining the world-famous And1 Streetball Tour and a long run with the Tokyo Apache in Japan’s bj league, Helicopter’s explosive attack and jaw-dropping dunks have made him a huge fan favorite here for many years. So now its an amazing honor to welcome Helicopter to the Rising Suns. Here’s the complete interview, please read and get to know a true legend…
#1) John, you’ve had an incredible career so far, and now you are bringing your game to the Jordan Brand Quai 54 World Championships with our Rising Suns. What are some personal highlights for you, looking back?
Helicopter: I played at Oak Hill Academy, which is a Jordan brand school, and we won the championship there. So that is what I plan on doing this year. Winning in Paris. For me, I just love the game, I love making fans jump up out of their seats. I think the highlight for me, is all the new friends, and fans I made over the years playing basketball.
#2) What was your inspiration as a player growing up, and what helped you continue to reach higher during your career (mentors, training programs, work ethic, etc.)? Do you have any advice for young players looking to go pro?
Helicopter: Well being the only boy, with all sisters, basketball was the only sport where I could just play alone. Of course I grew up watching Jordan, and all the tapes, being from North Carolina. You have to work hard. And for all the young players out there, you can never be happy with where you’re at, you always have to try and get better. Too this day, I am always working on my game, trying to add new stuff.
#3) Can you share a little about how your experience went in Japan, playing with Coach Jellybean Bryant, D-Mak, Joho, Cohey and all those guys during the Tokyo Apache’s early run?
Helicopter: Well, Jelly and I have been together for a long time. It was fun to come to Japan and play. Darin and Cohey, I watched them grow and get better. We were really a family, and we all got better together. Then I saw Joho grow up too, it was a great chance to play with him. Japanese people was/are wonderful. I love Japan, and want to come back to play and retire there. I love it so much, people are nice and respectful. And they seem to really enjoy my style of play.
Just a quick follow up to that, how does it feel to re-unite with your old Apache teammates @ Quai 54?
Helicopter: It will be fun. Those guys and myself played together for a long time. I know their sweet spots in the game, and they know mine. I hope after this, we can get a chance to play again together in the bj league as well.
#4) I’m sure you’ve seen personally what the game of basketball can do for kids, after all the tours you’ve done with And1, visiting local communities, and living the dream yourself. Can basketball help with the situation in Japan, at this important time for our recovery?
Helicopter: To the people In Japan, I am truly sorry for what happened. Japan is like my second home. I promise you that we are going to play hard and try and bring the championship back to Japan. I know you will never forget what happened, but I hope through basketball and our play, we can make you smile and take your mind off things for a few hours.
Anything else you would like to let the fans know about?
Helicopter: I am working on my own basketball school. It should be up and running next year, and I would love to come to Japan in the offseason and teach for young players out there. Please look out for the website coming very soon.
Thanks, John! Looking forward to this journey with you and all our Team Japan members. Next up, we’ll be featuring some of our main Japanese players (working on translation now, sorry for the delay). Keep rising!
Rising Suns JPN
